COLUMBIA, SC — The University of South Carolina has suspended 13 of the 19 fraternities on campus for allegations of numerous recruitment, alcohol, and risk management violations.

A letter to the fraternities from USC’s Fraternity Council Vice President of Conduct, Jon Withrow, says, “It is troubling that after the emergency meeting with Fraternity and Sorority Life Staff on Thursday, August 27th, 2015, several organizations allegedly disregarded our warnings and held events with alcohol with PNMs (potential new members) present and/or violated university, Fraternity Council, and national organization’s FIPG (Fraternal Information and Programming Group) and risk management policies.”

According to USC spokesman Wes Hickman, the alleged violations were reported by students. “These are rules established by the national fraternities. They’re rules established by our Interfraternity Council as part of organizational responsibilities as you go through the rush process,” he says.

The fraternities are not allowed to continue to recruit new members or even contact potential new members. About 900 men signed up to go through fraternity rush.

Each fraternity now has to set up a meeting with the IFC to discuss the allegations. After that, a Greek Conduct Board hearing may occur. “Fraternity council will give explicit permission to resume recruitment to each individual organization once all proceedings have been finalized for that organization,” the letter states.

In March of this year, 18-year-old USC freshman Charles Terreni, Jr. died from alcohol poisoning, according to the coroner, after an off-campus fraternity party.